How to Keep Patio Cushions Dry + Video

2 Materials

$5

1 Hour

Easy

Do you remember the scene from Steele Magnolias when M’lynn screams when she sees Shelby’s brothers have decorated her honeymoon car with ... um protection?

Well, that’s the same reaction I had last summer. With a forecast of more than two days of rain, I worried about how to keep my patio cushions from getting soaking wet. It wasn’t practical to bring them inside for every afternoon thunderstorm.

But, who wants to sit in a soggy patio cushion when the weekend comes around?

Sometimes the best ideas are based on the premise; do not overthink the idea. The solution is simple and most of you have to look no further than under your kitchen sink.

And, then inspiration struck when I grabbed a handful of plastic kitchen bags. It turns out plastic trash bags are a great resource to keep the foam cushions dry.

From there I unzipped the pillow covers and tucked the foam cushions into a plastic bag.

I tied the bag shut and placed the wrapped foam cushion back in the pillow covers.

That’s it! And, it works. The reality is when the rain penetrates the pillow cover (see above image) the cover dries after a morning of sunshine. But the foam cushion stays dry when encased in a plastic, kitchen bag.

Those wet cushions lead to fun stuff like mold spores. Who wants to sit on a cushion full of mold and mildew?

The kitchen trash bags have stayed intact over several seasons of snow, rain, hail and sunshine!

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I'm glad the author found a way that works for her. However, not every outdoor cushion has a zipper opening. Even if you can cover the foam inside the cushion, if you live anywhere but a dry climate your cushions are still going to get dark algae growth on the outside. This is why I don't have any cushions on any exposed furniture, and why I regularly recommend against cushioned outdoor furniture unless it's under a roof.